Rescue Dawn (2006)

Director:

Werner Herzog

Writer:

Werner Herzog (written by)

Release Date:

27 July 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | War

Tagline:

A true story of survival... declassified.

Plot:

A US Fighter pilot's epic struggle of survival after being shot down on a mission over Laos during the Vietnam War.

Plot Keywords:

Midget | Eating Worm | Hallucination | Camaraderie | Aircraft Carrier

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Zach Grenier	...	Squad Leader
Marshall Bell	...	Admiral
Christian Bale	...	Dieter
Toby Huss	...	Spook
Pat Healy	...	Norman
GQ	...	Farkas (as Gregory J. Qaiyum)
James Oliver	...	Jet Pilot
Brad Carr	...	U.S. Navy Pilot
Saichia Wongwiroj	...	Pathet Lao Guard
François Chau	...	Province Governor
Teerawat Mulvilai	...	Little Hitler (as Teerawat 'Ka-Ge' Mulvilai)
Mr. Yuttana Muenwaja	...	Crazy Horse (as Yuttana Muenwaja)
Kriangsak Ming-olo	...	Jumbo
Somkuan 'Kuan' Siroon	...	Nook the Rock
Chorn Solyda	...	Walkie Talkie
Steve Zahn	...	Duane
Jeremy Davies	...	Gene
Galen Yuen	...	Y.C.
Abhijati 'Meuk' Jusakul	...	Phisit (as Abhijati 'Muek' Jusakul)
Lek Chaiyan Chunsuttiwat	...	Procet (as Chaiyan 'Lek' Chunsuttiwat)
Craig Gellis	...	Grunt
Emmanuel O.	...	Corporal
Richard Manning	...	Helicopter Pilot
Evan Jones	...	Pilot
Bonnie Z. Hutchinson	...	Nurse #1
Seneca Shahara Brand	...	Nurse #2
Stefany Putnam	...	Nurse #3
Katherine Roberts	...	Nurse #4
Andy Loftus	...	FBI Agent #1 (as Andrew Loftus)
Colin Crosby	...	FBI Agent #2
Chris Tallman	...	DJ
Chris Butler	...	Rigger

Directed by
Werner Herzog

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Werner Herzog		written by

Produced by
Freddy Braidy	....	executive producer
Elton Brand	....	producer
Jimmy de Brabant	....	executive producer (as Jimmy De Brabant)
Michael Dounaev	....	executive producer
Jeff Geoffray	....	associate producer
Gerald Green	....	executive producer
Walter Josten	....	associate producer
Robyn Klein	....	associate producer
Harry Knapp	....	producer
Steve Marlton	....	producer
Kami Naghdi	....	executive producer
Nick N. Raslan	....	executive producer (as Nick Raslan)
Adam W. Rosen	....	associate producer
Elie Samaha	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Klaus Badelt

Cinematography by
Peter Zeitlinger		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Joe Bini

Casting by
Eyde Belasco

Art Direction by
Arin 'Aoi' Pinijvararak

Costume Design by
Annie Dunn

Makeup Department
Tanya Cookingham	....	key makeup artist: Alameda
R.J. McCasland	....	key makeup artist
Janette Nielsen	....	makeup artist: Alameda
Conor O'Sullivan	....	key special effects makeup artist
Danielle Lyn Saunders	....	makeup artist
Jennifer Owen Silva	....	key hair stylist: Alameda (as Jennifer Owens Silva)
Robert Trenton	....	prosthetic makeup artist

Production Management
Jonathan Way	....	executive in charge of production
Jonathan Way	....	unit production manager: Alameda

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tim Brenenstuhl	....	second assistant director
Abhijati 'Meuk' Jusakul	....	first assistant director
Harry Knapp	....	first assistant director
Harry Knapp	....	second unit director: Thailand
Nukool 'Nueng' Nhurod	....	second second assistant director
Zefania Preza	....	second assistant director: Alameda
Santi 'Noo lek' Toiparn	....	second assistant director
Edward McGurn	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Somchai 'Au' Chinsirikul	....	buyer
Wallop 'Tol' Chuachulak	....	swing gang
Wichit 'Ben' Chuchuan	....	set dresser
Pornthep 'Gay' Chuenchoorak	....	swing gang
Darrin Denlinger	....	storyboard artist (as Darin Denlinger)
Wimol Hengmee	....	painter
Supachayawat Jiracherdnapaporn	....	swing gang
Preeda Junsomdee	....	carpenter
Sutan Kawinram	....	carpenter
Peter Mayer	....	set decorator: Alameda
Anusorn 'Sorn' Musicabutr	....	assistant art director
Sanoh Noomkamnerd	....	head carpenter
Suwicha 'Keung' Noomkamnerd	....	carpenter
Nonjuree 'Ying' Obsuwan	....	art department coordinator
Sakarin 'Beer' Petchdee	....	property master
Prasant 'Jeed' Petchpong	....	construction manager
Wichien 'Dong' Somsuabsin	....	carpenter
Nimit Sornsuepsin	....	carpenter
Michael Stephenson	....	property master: Alameda
Wichet 'Chet' Thinmala	....	carpenter
Somwong Torchur	....	carpenter

Sound Department
Christopher Atkinson	....	boom operator
Chris Atkinson	....	boom operator
Peter Austin	....	supervising sound editor
Ed Carr	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Edward C. Carr III)
Steffan Falesitch	....	dialogue editor
Catherine Flynn	....	dialogue editor (as Cathy Flynn)
Karyn Foster	....	dialogue editor
Eric Gotthelf	....	adr mixer
Todd Grace	....	sound re-recording mixer
Charles Hamilton	....	stage recordist
Jun	....	sound assistant
Scott Kinzey	....	sound mixer: Alameda (as Scott Kinsey)
Marc Meyer	....	sound effects editor (as Mark Meyer)
Michael W. Mitchell	....	sound effects editor (as Michael Mitchell)
Soonthorn 'Add' Nimsanea	....	cable person
Thomas J. O'Connell	....	adr mixer (as Thomas O'Connell)
Jason Oliver	....	ProTools adr recordist
Paul Paragon	....	sound mixer
Jay Petach	....	adr mixer (as Jay Petack)
Sonny Pettijohn	....	assistant sound editor
Bob Redpath	....	adr editor (as Robert Redpath)
Fred Runner	....	boom operator: Alameda
Randolph Saucedo	....	sound recordist
Edward M. Steidele	....	foley artist (as Edward Steidele)
Chris Trent	....	foley mixer
Jerry Trent	....	foley artist
Kenneth Young	....	sound effects editor

Special Effects by
Adam Howarth	....	special effects supervisor
Ittipol Kaweprapurt	....	special effects technician
Po Ketkorn	....	senior special effects technician
Santipab Moonkawe	....	special effects technician
Sarawut Moonpol	....	senior special effects technician
Krit Nuansri	....	special effects runner
Wiroj Nuansri	....	senior special effects technician
Watcharachai Panichsuk Sam	....	special effects supervisor: Thailand (as watcharachai Panicsuk)
Kunakorn Sirisuwan	....	special effects technician

Visual Effects by
David Alexander	....	lead visual effects artist: Filmworks FX Inc.
Go Aoyama	....	visual effects intern: Filworks FX Inc.
Robert D. Bailey	....	digital intermediate consultant (as Bob Bailey)
Mike Becker	....	digital intermediate software engineer
Glenn Campbell	....	matchmover: Cinemapixel
Kevin Chaja	....	digital intermediate data manager
James Chu	....	visual effects artist: Filmworks FX Inc.
Tom Clancy	....	visual effects still plates: Filmworks FX Inc.
Erik Courtney	....	roto artist: Filmworks FX Inc.
Daphne Dentz	....	digital intermediate executive producer
Karina Desin	....	digital intermediate data manager
Mark Dinicola	....	digital intermediate colorist assist
Anna DiNuovo	....	digital intermediate producer
Marc Fisher	....	digital intermediate title sequences
Bob Gill	....	visual effects telecine operator: Filmworks FX Inc.
Heidi Graham	....	visual effects coordinator: Filmworks FX Inc.
Christopher Grandel	....	digital compositor: Cinemapixel
Ricky Hayner	....	visual effects assistant: Cinemapixel
Owen Holdren	....	visual effects artist: Filmworks FX Inc.
Kristin Johnson	....	digital compositor: Cinemapixel
Yoshio Kohashi	....	visual effects artist: Filmworks FX Inc.
Ken Locsmandi	....	CG supervisor: Filmworks FX Inc.
Ken Locsmandi	....	visual effects artist: Filmworks FX Inc.
Don L. McCoy	....	matchmover: Cinemapixel
Shannon Noble	....	digital compositor: Cinemapixel
Adam Ohl	....	digital intermediate film recordist
Brandon Perlow	....	visual effects artist: Filmworks FX Inc.
Richard Piedra	....	visual effects artist: Filmworks FX Inc. (as Richard J. Piedra)
Tom Polson	....	CG artist: Cinemapixel
Tobias Rogers	....	visual effects assistant: Cinemapixel
Christopher Francis Woods	....	visual effects producer: Cinemapixel (as Chris F. Woods)
Jan Yarbrough	....	supervising digital intermediate colorist

Stunts
Chris Carnel	....	stunt coordinator
Chris Carnel	....	stunt double: Christian Bale
Kim Kahana Jr.	....	stunt double: Steve Zahn

Camera and Electrical Department
Ken Bazal	....	second assistant camera: Alameda (as Kenny Bazal)
Piyapong Boondachai	....	grip
Peerapol Boonruangkao	....	electrician
Chris Byers	....	gaffer: Alameda
Chris Byers	....	key grip: Alameda
Daecha Chainok	....	rigger
Sitthi 'Boy' Chemugsorn	....	first assistant camera
Suthep Chubsri	....	rigging supervisor
Manachai Chuthom	....	rigger
Manachai Chutom	....	rigger
Pongkarn Deeboonmee	....	grip
Bernd Heinl	....	director of photography: Alameda
Lena Herzog	....	still photographer
Prawit Hinkvang	....	electrician
Chanate 'Nate' Intarachub	....	film loader
Chanate 'Nate' Intarachub	....	second assistant camera
Danai 'Chai' Jansomwong	....	gaffer: Thailand
Payu 'Yu' Jansri	....	electrician
Apinan Kabklangdon	....	rig builder
Sitthipong 'Ko' Kaewmarach	....	grip
Pongsak Kaewmookda	....	rigger
Amnaj Kamjadpai	....	rig builder
Patkasem Kijsanglong	....	rigger
Apichart Kladklawdee	....	rigger
Phanuwat 'Ae' Kongkarat	....	grip
Somkid Kumsawat	....	rigger
Ann Lee	....	second assistant camera: Alameda
Reg Metcalf	....	wescam operator: second unit Thailand
Gino Mifsud	....	best boy grip: Alameda
Somchai 'Boy' Mittjarem	....	electrician
Thanayuth 'Yut' Muhammad	....	electrician
Vachilapan 'Golf' Nakata	....	second assistant camera
Wachiraphan Nakata	....	second assistant camera
Mana Namvijit	....	key rigger
Jarin Pengpanitch	....	first assistant camera (as Jarin 'Tong' Pengpanich)
Supakarit Phondej	....	grip
Atthawut Phulungga	....	film loader
Komson Phumai	....	rigging coordinator
Mark Pickens	....	grip: Alameda
Ronnarong 'Noom' Pongjinda	....	camera operator: electronic press kit
Sayan Ponploy	....	key rigger
Sanya Ruengnead	....	grip
Samak Ruenpetch	....	key rigger
Apiwat 'Rin' Samanya	....	grip
Pongnaret Seleum	....	rigger
Pradit Seleum	....	rigger
Withaya Seleum	....	rigger
Erik Söllner	....	first assistant camera (as Erik Soellner)
Picha Srisansanee	....	camera operator (as Picha 'Pom' Srisansanee)
Picha Srisansanee	....	director of photography: Thailand (as Picha 'Pom' Srisansanee)
Surasak 'Rak' Sriumka	....	electrician
Prachom 'Tom' Syksamran	....	head electrician
Jaruk 'Tul' Thatanarm	....	key grip
Salee 'Lee' Thitgratork	....	best boy grip
Prasent 'Chang' UthenLoy	....	best boy grip
Thomas Vandermillen	....	first assistant camera: Alameda (as Ton Vandermillen)
Kronarat 'Korn' Watanakarunyapas	....	electrician
Julian White	....	gaffer
Rungchai 'Num' Yingsombat	....	electrician

Animation Department
Jason Donnelly	....	animator: Cinemapixel

Casting Department
Mitch Carter	....	adr voice casting
Chayuti 'Aey' Janrakangtong	....	casting assistant: Thailand
Raweeporn 'Non' Srimonju	....	casting director: Thailand
Sandy Holt	....	additional special voice casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sunny Chayes	....	costume supervisor: Alameda
Andrea Cooper	....	costumer: Alameda
Jirada 'Koi' Dairoekngam	....	seamstress
Sophia Green	....	wardrobe production assistant
Waraporn 'Pank' Kheawnonjai	....	wardrobe supervisor
Jennifer Power	....	costumer: Alameda (as Jen Power)
Preeyanan 'Lin' Suwannathda	....	assistant wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
David Tai Bornoff	....	additional assistant editor
Che Brooks	....	post-production AVID
Ryan Delk	....	assistant editor
Anna DiNuovo	....	digital intermediate producer
Ryan Gardner	....	post-production AVID
Jennifer Gillaspy	....	assistant editor (as Jen Gillaspy)
Herbert Golder	....	editor: archival footage
Maya Hawke	....	assistant editor
Royce Smith	....	color timer
Rick Souza	....	post-production AVID
Chris Tayag	....	post-production AVID

Music Department
Christopher Brooks	....	score co-producer
Andy Brown	....	conductor
Kris Burton	....	assistant score recording engineer
Caroline Dale	....	musician
Craig Eastman	....	musician
Robert Elhai	....	orchestrator
Vic Fraser	....	music preparation
Dave Hartley	....	musician
Ian Honeyman	....	music arranger
Stephen Krause	....	score mixer
Scrap Marshall	....	assistant score recording engineer
Stephen McLaughlin	....	score recordist (as Steve McLaughlin)
Andrew Raiher	....	music arranger
Jesse White	....	score technical assistant
Nick Wollage	....	score recordist

Transportation Department
Chatanun 'Buoy' Buachan	....	driver: generator for lighting #1
Surachate Chuman	....	driver: lighting truck #1
Sakorn 'Sa' Chutcha	....	driver: producer motorhome
Chai Geeta	....	driver: lighting skatebed
Prapas 'Neon' Geeta	....	driver: lighting truck #3
Noppadol 'Jeab' Jatukamnon	....	transportation manager
Rundon Jundee	....	driver: utility pickup
Pleon Kraipetch	....	driver: lighting truck #2
Song Kruanklang	....	driver: special effects truck
Anun Kumbangprai	....	driver: make-up truck
Bang Lek	....	driver: props buyer van
Prayoot 'Pao' Mupung	....	driver: stand-by prop van
Anuchart 'Ood' Namwong	....	driver: unit van
Weerarat 'Tong' Puangkeaw	....	driver: generator for lighting #2
Bunjong Na Rairum	....	driver: lighting truck #4
Sruang Rongmarut	....	driver: sound truck
Saaya Ruengnate	....	driver: grip truck #1
Too Samarai	....	driver: stand-by prop truck
Berklerk Sampoo	....	driver: art department van
Phongphan 'May' Sitti	....	transportation assistant
Anthony 'Skip' Starr	....	transportation coordinator: Alameda
Tanate Teerachaitunyasak	....	captain: Royal Thai Navy
Sunun 'Chow' Thaiklang	....	driver: generator for facility
Arthit Thaitae	....	driver: mobile toilet
Samporn Wangshen	....	driver: swing gang pickup
Akapong 'Toa' Wongsoonthorn	....	driver: producer van
Akapong 'Toa' Wongsoonthorn	....	transportation assistant

Other crew
Matt Adler	....	adr loop group
Marc Albanese	....	production accountant
Steve Alterman	....	adr loop group
Piyanit 'Nok' Anthawat	....	set production assistant
Pramoth Assakul	....	armorer
Jamie Bukowski	....	assistant: Klaus Badelt
Kampanart 'Matoom' Chantasiirivisam	....	location assistant
Kevin Chisnall	....	head armorer
Sompot Chitgasompongse	....	crowd organizer
Taweerat Chokechaipermpoonpol	....	crowd organizer
Tanapol Chuksrida	....	crowd organizer
Baoan Coleman	....	adr loop group (as Boan Coleman)
Boonchai Dananuphan	....	wing commander: Royal Thai Air Force, Sqdn. 203, Wing 2, Lopburi
Panupong Dangdej	....	military coordinator (as Panupong 'October' Dangdej)
Ron Don	....	location assistant
Moosie Drier	....	adr loop group
Marc Fisher	....	title designer: main and end titles
Paula Frankel	....	script supervisor: Alameda
Kanchanok Hunhaboon	....	group captain: Thai Air Force, Wing 53, Ao Manao
Glen P. Jeep	....	crowd organizer
Aud 'Oody' Kardsanikam	....	location manager
Susanna Lenton	....	script supervisor
Nathon S. Lewis	....	personal assistant: Steve Zahn (as Nathan S. Lewis)
Siripong Lowsuwan	....	major: Thai Air Force, Wing 53, Ao Manao
Maeve Mannion	....	production accountant
Aranka Matits	....	assistant to producer
Anchittha Phongchub	....	work permits: Thailand (as Anchittha 'Tan Tan' Phongchub)
Pornrisaln Ratanatham	....	armorer
Adam W. Rosen	....	legal services: Rosen, Feig, Golland & Lunn
Saros Sabcharoen	....	location assistant
Kiattipoom Saengthi	....	wing commander: Royal Thai Air Force, Sqdn. 203, Wing 2, Lopburi
Kialpoom Sangdhi	....	wing commander: Royal Thai Air Force, Sqdn. 203, Wing 2, Lopburi
Veerapong 'Golf' Saradhuldthat	....	manager: water and waste
Surachet Sutisai	....	armorer
Teera Tajandee	....	armorer
April Tan	....	adr loop group
Chring Teeko	....	armorer
Phut 'Doa' Thaitae	....	maid: mobile toilet
Konglar Toomphu	....	commander: Royal Thai Navy
Supapong 'Lah' Wongsang	....	animal wrangler
Suwicom 'Eddy' Yararit	....	location assistant

Thanks
Thomas Augsberger	....	special thanks
Paul Fiore	....	special thanks
Robert O. Green	....	special thanks
Zak Penn	....	special thanks
Hans Zimmer	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Gibraltar Films
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
• Top Gun Productions
• Thema Production

Distributors

• Acteurs Auteurs Associés (AAA) (2006) (Belgium) (all media)
• Benelux Film Distribution (2007) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Central Film (2008) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Conquistador Worldwide Media (2006) (non-USA) (all media) (sales)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-Ray Disc)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD) (HD-DVD)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (2007) (USA) (all media)
• Pathé Distribution (2007) (UK) (theatrical)

Special Effects

• SFX (special effects: second unit)
• Cinemapixel (special visual effects)
• Filmworks FX (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Abbey Road Studios  orchestra recorded at
• Baan Rigs  rigging: Thailand (as Baan Rig)
• Banana Hill Studios  score mixing (as Stephen Krause Banana Hill)
• Beau Bonneau Casting  extras casting: Alameda
• Blue Rider Entertainment  bridge funding
• Blue Rider Finance  post-production funding
• Consult Asia  service agency: Thailand
• DeLuxe Laboratories  film processing
• Dolby Laboratories  sound mix
• Entertainment Post  telecine
• Fortitude Editorial  post-production AVID
• Go Edit  post-production AVID
• Hatch Catering  catering: Alameda
• L.A. Mad Dogs  adr/walla recording
• London Metropolitan Orchestra  orchestra
• Media Distributors Film Source  Fuji film provided by
• Oriental Post Co. Ltd.  film development (as Oriental Post)
• Post Group, The  telecine
• Rosen, Feig, Golland & Lunn  legal services
• Sound Satisfaction  foley recording facilities

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense war violence and torture.

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | USA:PG-13 | Brazil:14 | Australia:MA | New Zealand:R18 | Netherlands:16 | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-13 | UK:12A | Ireland:15A | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Thailand

Company:

Gibraltar Films

Trivia:

At nearly $5.5 million dollars in the United States, this is the highest grossing film to date (March 2008) for Werner Herzog (his films have generally played in art-houses in the US).

Goofs:

Factual errors: Twice in the film Dengler is referred to as Flight Lieutenant Dengler. There is no such rank in the U.S. Navy, nor in the U.S. military. That's an RAF rank. Dengler was a Lieutenant Junior Grade, commonly called at LT JG (Lieutenant Jay Gee).

Quotes:

Dieter: Empty what is full. Fill what is empty. Scratch what itches.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Jumper (2008)

Soundtrack:

Alleluja

Outstanding tale of survival

If you're a big fan of the mad German genius Werner Herzog, you might be disappointed in this, his first foray into Hollywood film-making. This is polished and not at all experimental. However, to me it feels like Herzog, when he stepped up to the plate, said to himself, "Well, I can make an American film. And I can make a better one than 95% of American films." And there's nothing wrong with that. The film is a dramatization of the events retold in Herzog's earlier documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly. Christian Bale plays Dieter Dengler, an American citizen and German emigré who had one of the most impressive survival instincts ever seen in a human being. Shot down in Laos in the opening throes of the Vietnam War, he was taken to a brutal POW camp where he met two other American POWs (Jeremy Davies and Steven Zahn in the film) and three Asian men who had worked with the enemy. The two Americans had been there for an average of a couple of years, and had all but given up hope (the Davies character is sure there will be peace soon enough). Through his amazing ingenuity, Dieter planned a heroic escape. Most of the movie takes place in the POW camp. Most of what I remember from Little Dieter Needs to Fly, which I saw around two years ago, is the escape. It's a disturbing, horrifying tale of survival. I would have liked this part to be the longer, but it works very well. It's certainly harrowing. I was disappointed that one of the images I really remember from the original film did not appear: the bear that stalked Dieter during his final days wandering in the jungle. He considered it almost a friend, but in the back of his mind realized it was following him because it wanted to eat him. Herzog keeps things extremely subtle, telling them very much the way they happened. The story develops more like real life, not like a movie. It keeps melodrama to a minimum. My only problem is how it ends. The ending is way too boisterous and uplifting. Dieter Dengler was most definitely an upbeat kind of guy, but his suffering and the awful things that he saw – heck, with the awful things that we just experienced with him, so vivid is this movie – don't lead well to the celebration that ends the movie. I very much liked this film, and think it is one of the best I've seen so far this year.